Out-of-phase DNA synthesis, which is demonstrated cytogenetically as premature chromosome condensation (PCC), was analyzed in endoreduplicated Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells induced by colchicine or vincristine. Like conventional polyploid cells, endoreduplicated cells exhibited PCC in either S or G2. The former was more frequently observed in drug-treated cultures. In addition to these two types of PCC, other mitotic figures showing out-of-phase DNA synthesis were found. Such cells contained both conventional chromosomes (monochromosomes) and diplochromosomes. Differential FPG staining of chromatids in these cells showed that diplochromosomes incorporated BrdU twice while monochromosomes did so once, indicating the occurrence of partial endoreduplication in one of the sister nuclei of multinucleate cells. The possible mechanisms underlying induction of out-of-phase DNA synthesis and production of partial endoreduplication are discussed.